The name Francis Scott Key needs no introduction. We know him as the author of The Star Spangled Banner. “During the War of 1812, following the Burning of Washington in August 1814, on September 7, 1814, Key and American Agent for Prisoners of War, Colonel John Stuart Skinner dined aboard HMS Tonnant as the guests of Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane, Rear Admiral George Cockburn, and Major General Robert Ross. Skinner and Key were there to plead for the release of Dr. William Beanes, an elderly resident of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and a friend of Key, who had been captured in his home on August 28, 1814. Beanes was accused of aiding the arrest of some British soldiers (stragglers withdrawing after the Washington campaign) who were pillaging homes. Skinner, Key, and the released Beanes were allowed to return to their own truce ship, under guard, but not allowed to leave the fleet because they had become familiar with the strength and position of the British units and their intention to launch an attack upon Baltimore.”1
For 25 long hours, Key watched helplessly as Fort McHenry in Maryland experienced the devastation of the British attack. As the sun rose after the siege, Key was shocked to see the American flag, battered and torn, but still flying over the fort. This sight inspired the words that became The Star Spangled Banner.
It only took 116 ½ years to get this song recognized as our National Anthem. “In
March 1931, Congress passed an act confirming Wilson’s presidential order, and on March 3 President Hoover signed it into law.”2
We are nearly 210 years past the writing of this song and 93 years since it became our National Anthem. And it still sends shivers of patriotism through me whenever I hear it sung without the unnecessary embellishments supplied by performers.
If we had a song that was our Christian National Anthem, what would it be? Many songs come to mind like Blessed Assurance, How Great Thou Art, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, and Amazing Grace. It would be hard to pick just one song that embodies all our faith means to us and that exemplifies the Lord Jesus Christ who made it all possible.
In Psalms 28:6-7, we read, “Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. (7) The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in 
him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” With MY song. Not a song someone else wrote but the outpouring of David’s heart song to the Lord.
Do you have a song in your heart? While it may not be every Christian’s anthem, it’s yours. It’s your song of worship and praise to the Lord. Lift it up with a mighty voice and let the joy come out of every other song you sing today in the midst of the congregation of the Lord.
1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Scott_Key
2https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-star-spangled-banner-becomes-official
